Clubs continue talks over Arnesen

Chelsea and Tottenham will continue discussions over a compensation package for sporting director Frank Arnesen on Thursday.

The two parties have spent much of today in dialogue over the amount of cash required by Spurs before they would consider releasing the Dane from his current contract at White Hart Lane.

Arnesen was suspended by Tottenham on Saturday amid accusations from Spurs that Chelsea had breached FA Premier League rules by making an illegal approach.

However, Chelsea deny they are guilty of tapping up Arnesen and say that a letter sent from the Barclays Premiership champions was addressed to Spurs chief Daniel Levy and merely copied to Arnesen.

Spurs insist that constitutes a breach of the rules but have so far failed to lodge a formal complaint with the Premier League over the matter.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Frank was suspended on Saturday and the club are weighing up its options with regard to a formal complaint."

That delay in lodging an official complaint is almost certainly linked to the discussions currently ongoing between the two London clubs.

However, if they come to a settlement over compensation for Arnesen, it will not stop Spurs lodging a complaint with the FAPL.

There was some good news for Spurs with England goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealing he is set to sign an new long-term contract with the club.

However, Robinson also voiced his disappointment about Arnesen's suspension and his likely departure.

Robinson said: "Frank's good at dealing with players, bringing them in and helping to build the squad and then it has been Martin Jol who has got us to where we are now on the pitch.

"In football clubs you see individuals come and go but we have to move on.

"As players we have to get on with our jobs and that's to go out and win as many games as possible."

Robinson, who returned to Spurs this week for treatment on the knee injury which prevented him from playing in their final two games of the season, was delighted with his decision to commit his future to the Londoners.

He added: "I've been in negotiations for a few weeks with the chairman and we are just about there.

"It's a long-term contract that will keep me here for a few years. It is a commitment but one I'm happy to do and something I've looked to do since the chairman first spoke to me about signing a new deal.

"There has never been any doubt on my part that this is where I want to be.

"The chairman showed his commitment to me by signing me in the first place and by signing this new deal I'm repaying that faith."